Comments on: What I bought - 6 September 2007

By: acespot

acespot — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 07:42:46 +0000

Recommendations for 9/12:

Consider these:
BOOSTER GOLD #2
LONE RANGER #8
SUPERMAN #667
ZOMBIE PROOF #1

In addition to what you're probably buying already.

By: Greg Burgas

Greg Burgas — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:47:04 +0000

Francis: I do have to say that I liked the story far less than the artwork on the book. That's an interesting point about the way the book was constructed. I didn't like the art, as I think it's far too excessive, but I did like the examples you put up on your blog of the other book you're working on. I'm actually interested in seeing that book rather than this. I'm sure you had a lot of fun doing this, but it's disappointing when someone who CAN draw well, as you obviously can, doesn't. I will apologize for questioning your position in comics, because that was a cheap shot. I can't draw, so I have no leg to stand on. I just don't care for that 1990s Image style at all, and thought that Iron and the Maiden really signified all that was bad about comics from back then. As you might have seen, other people in the comments have said that your work on Legion of Super-Heroes is quite good, so I'll have to check that out when it shows up on the stands. Best of luck with it.

By: Franks_Castle

Franks_Castle — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 21:35:54 +0000

FJM,

Let me just say I enjoy your work tremendously and can't wait to see your new projects. Thanks!

By: Francis Manapul

Francis Manapul — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 08:22:14 +0000

wow.. what can I say, I usually just ignore these kind of things but I thought it was worth noting that Iron and the Maiden was done with a style guide. Jason had a design team prior to my taking on the project which developed the look and design of the characters. That being said as no defence because I thought the book was fun and yes while it does ooze a bit of the 90's flavour, at the end of the day Jason put together a pretty damng good design team. I had a lot of fun on the series since I really got to push how far I can go with regards to that art style. After my departure from Top Cow rather than taking the road most traveled (going to DC or Marvel) right away I wanted to do a bit of "soul searching" art wise. With doing Iron and the Maiden I really got to push my exaggerated anatomy and really opened up my line work to give room for the colorist to play (danimation did an awesome job by the way). I was a big fan of this style since I was a kid (still am) and really wanted to give the old bike a ride. On the opposite end of the spectrum I also was hired to do a graphic novel for Editions-Delcourt titled Sept Guerrieres which really pushed my stortelling abilities and was my main focus on that book. Now that those two are complete or nearing completion I feel I'm now ready to go with the big two (it being DC). While I know this is just a matter of opinion and I certainly appreciate yours, and I know my work is not everyones cup of tea. I would just like to say that I worked hard to be where I am, and I deserve to be in this industry. Every day I'm greatful that I have this job, but I don't doubt for one second that I also deserve to have it. all the best, fjm

By: FunkyGreenJerusalem

FunkyGreenJerusalem — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:00:53 +0000

I donâ€™t see how a serious element like Dwarfstar precludes an overall comic tone.

Well, I've only read the first trade, but I'd say he brings down the whole tone of the book by just being shit.
Really is one of the worst new characters I've read in a while.
The fact he didn't actually achieve anything he set out to do in the opening arc kinda neutered him as a villain right out the gate.
His power is exactly the same as The Atom, except he carries a knife - With his power matching Atom's, they are essentially powerless when they fight, and so, the books villains power is... a knife.

By: Prankster

Prankster — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 03:49:42 +0000

What's so hard to get about She-Hulk? The idea is that there are a bunch of impostors running around the Marvel U., so if anyone acts out of continuity--having powers he/she shouldn't, doing something contrary to their character, being alive when they're supposed to be dead, doing anything that conflicts with the story in their existing title--you can explain it as one of these "Tourists". Obviously Slott's tongue is in his cheek here, and he doesn't expect people to take this explanation as gospel, but it's still fairly clever.

By: Greg Burgas

Greg Burgas — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 02:21:38 +0000

Yeah, those pages are good. It makes me wonder what he's doing on Iron and the Maiden. You can tell it's the same artist, but the pages you linked to are quite good. It's interesting, because it's like he deliberately changed what he was doing on the Aspen comic. Maybe it's an Igor Kordey thing.

By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 01:43:05 +0000

Wow, those pages are LOUSY with goodness!

By: Pedro BouÃ§a

Pedro BouÃ§a — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 23:02:05 +0000

Manapul may not be great, but is hardly a bad artist. He was just hires to draw a french comic album for Delcourt - and they don't hire just anyone who can pick up a pencil!

See a few art samples:
http://manapul.blogspot.com/2007/07/seven-guerierres-interior-art.html

And it's clearly explained on the MODOK book that MODOK got his... Distinctive appearance through an accelerated evolutionary process. The infinicide are also highly evolved creatures (humans?) from the future, so they are alike (i.e. a bunch of MODOKs themselves!).

Best,
Hunter (Pedro BouÃ§a)

By: Greg Burgas

Greg Burgas — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 18:13:48 +0000

I haven't looked at the LSH previews, so maybe he's doing something different and the art is good. More power to him. "Competent" his art might be, but all that means is that it doesn't hurt to look at it. It looks like he's aping guys like Madureira and Bachalo, but without their sense of style. I'm not the biggest fan of Joe Mad (I do like Bachalo, though), but his art isn't as over-the-top as Manapul's. It has all of the excess but none of the verve that others like him sometimes have. No problem, Andre. I hope it does well for you.

By: Andre

Andre — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:52:29 +0000

Thanks for the review of Groove Junction Greg!! Man, Im so happy about it!

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:44:49 +0000

The art previews I've seen for Legion of Super-Heroes have really impressed me. Based on those alone I think I can conclude that the guy isn't LOUSY. I don't know if he'll be to my tastes or not, and maybe he's done a bad job on this Iron Maiden series, but you can't deny he's got at least a little talent after looking at the LoSH work. I really dug those, and they do demonstrate craft.

By: Chief_Wahoo

Chief_Wahoo — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:38:34 +0000

Manapul's art is competent. Not entirely sure how you get "lousy" from it.

By: Ryan H

Ryan H — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 16:00:32 +0000

I'm late to the party, but I have one comment that I want to throw out there.

I want to buy Infinity, Inc., but I won't. I like the characters, the set-up sounds interesting, I have enjoyed other things by the creators.

However, I know there is no way this isn't going to be dragged into DC's latest crossover frenzy. Every few years I start getting back into a few DC comics, then end up dropping them all when the whole universe goes sideways. Blue Beetle is already on the chopping block this time. I don't want to add another that is due to be axed anyways.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 13:31:35 +0000

It is too funny.

By: Apodaca

Apodaca — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 06:28:59 +0000

This review pleased me.

By: Evan Waters

Evan Waters — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 05:39:23 +0000

Just having them fight is not funny, no.

That's not what they ended up doing.

As for the entire series- well, it's not pure comedy. There are elements of danger and death. I don't see how a serious element like Dwarfstar precludes an overall comic tone.

By: Greg Burgas

Greg Burgas — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 05:24:55 +0000

"Pretty good at what he does"? No. His art is lousy. Evan - I'm not talking just about this issue with Dwarfstar. I'm talking about the entire series. And no, this issue is not funny. Just putting in Japanese monster analogs and having them fight isn't funny. It's easy. And it's not that we're not supposed to recognize them, I just get the feeling that the girl's line about "only a total geek loser would even know who they are" is supposed to be funny, especially because it's Ryan who does recognize them, but it's not funny. Giant monsters fighting is fine. But this issue was trying way too hard to be the FUNNIEST MONSTER FIGHT EVER, and it wasn't. Andrew - I loved Action Philosophers!, thought Doktor Sleepless was pretty good, thought Captain America: The Chosen was good but would read better in the trade, liked Gamekeeper, liked Groove Junction (despite some issues with the writing), liked She-Hulk, and liked Uncanny X-Men. I didn't like Atom, thought Iron Man was kind of unnecessary, and hated Iron and the Maiden. Not a bad day, all in all! Don't hate yourself, Dave C! Embrace your inner fashionista!

By: Agent_Torpor

Agent_Torpor — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 04:53:32 +0000

Did Manipul piss in your cornflakes or sumthin'? That was unnecessarily harsh on someone who's actually pretty good at what he does.

By: Evan Waters

Evan Waters — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 04:45:08 +0000

"Then we get the Japanese movie monsters, and I wonder who the geek is that will recognize them?" Uh, one's obviously Godzilla, and the other's pretty much Gamera, so I'll go with "anyone who ever saw a Japanese monster movie". And why is recognition so important? Comics can't make obscure references? Dwarfstar doesn't butcher anyone in this issue so that's pretty much a non-starter. Yes, the HAPPY DAYS joke was familiar, but the David Bowie one not so much. It is every bit as funny as you say it isn't. I really don't get what your criticism is- that it's not trying to be anything more than a goofy romp? Can't a comic just have two giant monsters fighting and work on that level?